Machine for folding material.



PATENTED MAY 3,1904.

I R. B. FRIEND. MAGHINB'FOR FOLDING MATERIAL.

APBIJVIOATION FILED DBO. 13, 1902;

3 snsncrs-snnm 1.

H0 MODEL.

No -"758,962. PATENTED MAY 3,1904.

v R. B. FRIEND. MACHINE FOR FOLDING MATERIAL.

I APPLICATION FILED D3013, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEEN-SHEET 2) No. 758,962. PATENTED MAY 3, 1904.

R. B. FRIEND. MACHINE FOR FOLDING MATERIAL.

'APPLIOA-TION FILED DEO.13, 1902.

no monnn. asgnms-snnnv 3.

UNITED STATES SAN Patented May 3, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CALIFORNIA, ASS IGNOR TO THE INTER- FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A ooRPo- I VIACI -IINE FOR FOLDING MA TEHIAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758.962, dated May a, 1904.

A ncmoa filed December 13,1902. Eerie-1N0. 135,082.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROGER B. FRIEND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, 'in the county of Alameda and State of Cali- 5 fornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Folding Mate-- rial; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in lo the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to paperrmachines, and particularly to machines constructed and designed to fold toilet-paper; and some of the objects of this invention are to provide a machine of. this general character which will be simple and cheap in construction and at the same time positive and effective in" operation. Itis also an object of this invention to provide a machine constructed to movably support rolls of paper ribbon and to'provide the same with a longitudinal crease or indentation while being drawn therethrough. It is also an object of this invention to dou- 5 ble or fold the material along a predetermined,

line and to increase the fold or bend the material upon itself as it'is progressed through the machine until it emergesor passes therefrom in a flat or completely-folded state.

Furthermore, an object of this inventionis to so support the material within the machine a that each strip or ribbon Will be supported and maintained in a predetermined position or relation and so that one strip or ribbon of matcrialwill overlap or extend over another-strip or ribbon, so as to intermesh or dovetail therewithjwhen the strips or ribbon are folded or bent upon themselves.

Still another object of the invention is to 4 provide means for progressing the material through the machine and for compressing or flattening the same. Another;object of the invention is to provide mean-s for'seenrely holding the free ends of the riibb'on's-or strips of. material while additional stripsor ribbon are being attached thereto.

' machine is being provided therewith,

No model.

b With these and other objects in view' the invention consists, essentially, in the construction, combination, and arrangem'ent'of parts, 5 substantially asjmore fully described in the followingspecification and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of' this application, in which Figure 1 is'a side elevational view of the entire machine. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elovational' view of the machine with the clamping or retaining device removed. Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the clamping device andthe guiding-posts. Fig. 5 is a sideelevational view of the initial or the first former. Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the same, partly broken away. Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the second former. Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of the same. Fig. 9 is a sectional view ofthe threader, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the threader. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the third former, showing the same partly broken away. Fig. 12'is an enlarged detail view of the device for progressing -and compressing the material. Fig: 13 is-a modified form of the means for actuating said device. Figs. 14 and l5'are detail views of the clamp'or retaining device, showing the same in an open and closed position, respectively. Figs. 16, 17, and 18 are detail views of' the ereaser employed. Figs. 19 and 20 are detail views of the device for supporting the bobbins or reels; and Fig. 21 is a detail view of a removable means for temporarily supporting the material while the i said figure showing the parts broken away.

Similar characters of reference designate 5 corresponding parts throughout the several views.

' Referring to the drawings,;and particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, inclusive, the reference character 1 designates parallel posts or guiding devices, which are'preferably rounded or curved, as sl1own at 2,l ig. 3, and provided with gains'or shouldered. recesses 3-to receive and guide the strips or ribbons of material as kll the same pass from the bobbins or reels 4, whereon the material is supported in. such relation as to cause the webs to interfold during their passage through the machine, as will be readily understood.

Vertical bars or rods 5 are supported in a frame or between plates or members 6. and on the rods are slidably mounted brackets 7, secured in position by set-screws 8 and carrying rotatable arms 9, having spindles 10, whereon the bobbins or reels 4 are revolubly mounted, and by means'of this construction the bobbins or reels 4. may be secured in any desired position in relation to the guidingposts 1, and any number of supporting bars or rods 5 may be employed, as well as any number of bobbins, according to the number of strips of material it is desired to fold by one operation or at a time.

A base orplatform 11 may be formed on or connected with the guide-posts 1 and parallel posts 12, while with the latter posts and with legs 13 may be connected another base or platform 14, and movably connected with the guide-posts 1 are plates or wings 15, preferably recessed or slotted longitudinally, as at 16, Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6 of the drawings, to receive the curved or partially-bent intermediate portion of the strips or ribbons of material as the same pass from the recesses or gains 2 in the guide-posts 1, and guiding devices or headed pins 17 are preferably secured on each side of said recesses or slots 16 to retain and support the strips of material during the passage of the same through theinitial former, and said recesses or slots and guiding-devices preferably converge from the receiving toward the discharge end of the initial former, substantially as illustrated.

Spring-contacts 18 are secured upon the free lower edges of the wings or plates to frictionally engage the base or platform 11 in order to retain said wings in a predetermined position thereon when it is desired to open or move the same laterally for the purpose of introducing fresh material into the machine or otherwise, and the plates or wings 15 are preferably retained in operative position substantially parallel'to each other byineans of removable or other clamps or locking devices 19, Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The parallel uprights or posts 12 carry movable wings or plates 20, likewise provided with retaining-clamps 21 and frictional retaining devices 22, substantially as before mentioned, and each of the plates or wings of the second former are desirably provided with baflied ledges or staggered plates 23,

Figs. 7 and 8, preferably arranged to converge or approach each other towardthe discharge end of the second former, essentially as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

When it is desired to first introduce the material into the machine, the strips are unwound from the bobbins or reels 5 and pass between the vertical parallel posts 12 to the threader 24, the wings or plates 15 and 20 having been opened or swung laterally to permit the introduction of and access to the material, and as each strip of material is passed between the posts 12 it is supported in position by removable bars 25 to facilitate the process of first introducing the mater al into the machine, as will be readily understood.

The threader 24 is preferably frusto-pyramidal in exteriorcontour, or the top and bottom thereof preferably converges from t e receiving to the discharge end thereof, and the threader is preferably provided with bafiied ledges or staggered plates 26, which likewise desirably converge toward the discharge end of the threader, and the threader may be mounted on a table or platform 27, supported on legs or uprights 28, or in any other manner that is found desirable in practice.

Upon the table 27 is secured a third former 29, Figs. 1, 2, and 11 of the drawings, and is preferably constructed of a rigid side 30 and a movable side 31, carrying adjusting devices 32 and a handle 33, and each of the sides 30 and 31 are preferably provided with converging baflied ledges or staggered plates 34, substantially as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

From the'third or final former 29 the material passes into a guider or retainer 35, preferably constructed with a removable cover and supported by a bracket 36 at each end thereof, substantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The progressing and compressing device preferably embodies a stationary frame 37,

supported upon an operating-table or other device 38, and within said frame is slidably mounted a movable frame 39, preferably actuated by a hand-wheel 40 and carrying a roller 41, constructed to operate with or upon of each of said rollers are preferably extended and provided with gear-wheels 43 and 44, re-

spectively, the shafts of the roller 44 carrying a band or hand wheel 45, by means of which the progressing and compressing device may be actuated mechanically or manually, as desired.

. When considerable adjustment is necessary between the rollers 41 and 42, the gear-wheels 43 and 44 can be dispensed with, and pulleys 46 and 47 can be substituted therefor and belted to a take-up pulley 48, one of the bolts 49 being crossed, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 13 of the drawings.

During the operation of initially introducing-material into the machine after the material upon the bobbins or reels 4 has been almost exhausted it is necessary to clamp or retainthe end of the strips of material while the other strips are being secured thereto.

the lower stationary roller 42, and the shafts Therefore clamping devices 50 are provided to operate against the curved portion 2 ,of theposts '1 forthe purpose of retaining the ends of the old strips of material while new-strips are being secured thereto.

' An intermediate post 51 is secured between the guide-posts 1 and is provided, preferably,

y with three bearings to receive the threaded rods 52, carrying traveling nuts, or a vertical post 53, provided with diverging arms 54, having the edges thereof faced with felt-or soft material to make a pliant and safe contact-surface for the material, and the threaded rods 52 are supported in another post, 55, and carry sprocket-wheels 56, connected by sprocket-chains 57 in such a manner that by turning the central threaded rod by means of a hand wheel or crank 58 all of tl]B' rods- 52 will. be rotated simultaneously.

A longitudinal crease or depression is formed in each strip of material by means of a creasing device 59, preferably adjustablymounted ln'the intermediate post 51 by means of'set screws 60, Figs. 14, 15, 16, and '18 of the drawings, and the creasing'devices preferably embody-a shank 61, having a bifurcated or.

recessed head 62, wherein is mounted a blade 63, preferably constructed with a rounded end 64, substantially as illustrated.

flhe operation of this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following explanation thereof:

When it is desired to start the machine or to begin the operation of folding the strips or ribbons of material, the bobbins or reels containing the same are placed upon the shanks 'or spindles 10, carried by the brackets upon the-posts or uprights 5, and one end of each strip of material 18 passed around the guiding-posts 1 within the gain or recess therein and beneath the blades 63 of the creasing devices 59 upon the intermediate standards or posts 51, which devices are constructed when in operation to contact with the strip of mate'- rial intermediate of the width thereof, so as to form a longi tudinal' depression or crease therein, whereby when the strip is finally folded theedges thereof will coincide, as will be readily understood Fromthe creasing devices the material will be drawnby hand to thethreader,-

where the ends" of l=the=-material will be 'interlocked and passedbetween the plates or frames 26 and from thence through the retainer or guide 35 and finally into the progressing and compressing device, and in order to. suppo'rtthe strip of material while-accomplish- %)ng the foregoing operation the removable 6o 'ars 25 may be introduced within the up.- rights or'posts 12" between each, strip of material, and it-will be understood that the Wings or plates of the first and second former will be opened or moved laterally to facilitate the foregoing'operation, and the cover will be removed from the guide 35 for a like purpose. After the material is in position and all the operative partsof the machine have been returned to their working position power is ap-- plied to the progressing and compressing device, whereby the interlocked or'intermeshing strips of material are drawn through the 'machineand. are creased and folded by the action ofthe creasing devices and formers, each ofthe latter advancing or increasing the operation or process of folding the material un-- til the folded material is delivered to the com-. pressing device, where the operation is completed.

If found desirable in practice, gumming devices 65 of any character may be provided adjacent to the line of travel ofthe strips of- 1. An apparatus for folding material, provided with means for supporting the material,

guiding devices having shoulders to retain the material in position during the movementthereof, creasing devices operating with said guiding devices to produce a longitudinal crease in the material, a plurality of formers receiving the creased material. and successively advancing the folding of the material and means for progressing the material.

2. An apparatus for folding material provided with means for supporting the material, guiding devices, creasing devices, carrying knives vices to impart 'a longitudinal curvature to the material passing therebetween, formers to complete the-folding of the material, and means for progressing the, material.

operating with said supporting de- '3. -An apparatus for folding material provided with means for supporting material, guiding-posts having shoulders to retain the material in position during the-progress thereof, an upright adjacent to said posts and creasing devices, adjustably mounted in said upright, constructed to impart a longitudinalcrease to the material, formers to fold "thecreased material and means for progressing the material.

4. An apparatus for folding. material pro vided with reels, vertical-bars carrying slidable brackets having movable bars for said reef s, whereby longitudinal and'la'teralmove ment of said rjeels is effected, formers and means for progressing the material.

5. An apparatus for folding material provided withreels, vertical bars carrying slidable brackets having movable bars engaging said reels, whereby longitudinal and lateral movement of said reels is effected, a plurality of formers constructed to successively advance the folding of the material and means for progressing the material.

6. An apparatus for folding material provided with supporting means, a former constructed with longitudinal converging depressions,ver tical recessed guiding-posts directing the material to said former, guiding'devices receiving the material from said former, and means for progressing the material."

.7. An apparatus for folding material providedwith supporting means, creasing devices to impart alongitudinal curvature to the material for the former, and a plurality of form ers converging successively toward the delivs ery end thereof, and means'for progressing the material.

8. An apparatus for folding material provided with supporting means,creasingdevices, an initial former having longitudinal con verging depressions, a second former having baffledledges and converging in the line of travel of the material and a third former having, baflied ledges and constructed to complete the forming operation and means for progressing the material.

9. An apparatus for folding material provided with means for supporting the material, guidingposts, a clamping device operating thereagainst to hold the ends of the material and means for operating said device.

10. An apparatus for folding material provided with means for supporting the material, formers, a tapering guiding and retaining de vice having baflied ledges receiving the material from said formers and means for progressing the material.

11. An apparatus for folding material provided with means for supporting the material in interfo'lding position, guiding devices, devices operating, thereagainst for forming a longitudinal crease in each piece of material to facilitate the folding thereof along said crease-folders, means for progressing the operation of folding the separate pieces of material in interfolding relationand mechanism for progressing the material.

12. An apparatus for folding material provided with meansfor supporting the material in interfolding position, guiding devices, devices operating thereagamst for forming a longitudinal'crease in each piece of material to facilitate the folding thereof along the crease-folders, means for progressing the operation of folding the separate pieces of ma- .terial in interfolding relation, devices to gum the-material during the progress thereof and mechanism for actuating the parts.

13. An apparatus for folding material pro-- vided with vertical bars, brackets adjustahly mounted thereon carrying rotatable arms, reels supported on said arms in such position that the pieces of material on said reels over-- lap each other, and means for folding the material and for progressing the same.

14. An apparatus for folding material provided with vertical bars, brackets adjustabl y mounted thereon carrying rotatable arms, reels supported on said arms in such position that the pieces of material on said reels overlap each othei, posts having shouldered recesses to receive and guide the pieces of material as the same passfrom said reels, creasing devices operating with said posts to impart a longitudinal crease to each piece of ma terial and means fo progressing the material.

15. An apparatus for foldii'igmaterial provided with vertical bars, brackets :uljustably mountedv thereon carrying rotatable arms, reels supported on said arms in such 'iosition that the pieces of material on said reels overlap each other, posts having shouldered recesses to receive and guide the pieces of material as the same pass from said reels, creasing devices operating with said posts to impart a longitudinal crease to each piece of material, clamping device to retain the material in position against said posts when the apparatus is not in operation and means to pro mounted thereon carrying rotatable arms,

reels supported on said arms in such position that the pieces of material on said reels overlap each other, posts having shouldered rccesses to receive and guide the pieces of material 'as the same pass from said reels, creasing devices operating with said posts to impart a longitudinal crease to each piece of material, clamping devices to retain the material in position against said posts when the apparatus is not in operation, formers receiving the creased material from said posts and progressing the operation of interfolding the same and means for progressing the material when said clamping device is in inoperative position.

17. An apparatus for folding material provided with vertical bars, brackets iuljustahly mounted thereon carrying rotatable arms,

reels supported on said arms in such position that the pieces of material on said reels overthecreased rnaterial from said posts and proscribing witnesses, at Los Angeles, in the gressing the operation of interfolding the county of Los Angeles and State of California,

same, gunnningv devices on said posts -and this 6th day of December, 1902. v means. fonprogressing the-material when said ROGER B. FRIEND. 5 clamping device is in inoperative position. Witnesses: 1

4 Inte'stimony\vhereoflhavesigned mynaine H. G. MILLSAP,

to this specification, in the presence of two sub L. B. ALDERETE. 

